Colin Farrell on Penguin Spinoff Series: 'I Was Dying to Do More'

Farrell Says He "Badgered" Matt Reeves for More Penguin Screen Time

Colin Farrell is set to reprise his role as the Penguin in a new HBO Max spinoff series. The actor, who first played the character in Matt Reeves' 2022 film "The Batman," says he was eager to explore the character further.

Gotham City's Crime Lord Gets His Own Show

The Penguin spinoff series will follow Oswald Cobblepot's rise to power in Gotham City's criminal underworld. Farrell says he was drawn to the character's complexity and his journey from a low-level criminal to a major crime lord.

Farrell's Passion for the Penguin

"I was dying to do more with the character," Farrell said. "I just felt like there was so much more to explore. I badgered Matt [Reeves] for more screen time in the movie, but he was like, 'No, no, no, we're not going to do that.'"

Reeves' Vision for the Penguin

Reeves has said that he always intended for the Penguin to have a larger role in the Batman universe. "I knew that Colin was going to be amazing in the role," Reeves said. "And I knew that there was so much more story to tell with the character."

What to Expect from the Penguin Spinoff Series

The Penguin spinoff series is expected to delve deeper into Cobblepot's backstory and his relationships with other characters in the Batman universe. The series will also explore the criminal underworld of Gotham City and the power struggles between different factions.

Farrell on the Challenges of Playing the Penguin

Farrell says that playing the Penguin was a challenging but rewarding experience. "The makeup and prosthetics were very intense," he said. "But it was also a lot of fun to get into character and explore the darkness of the character."

Critics Praise Farrell's Performance

Farrell's performance as the Penguin has been praised by critics. The Hollywood Reporter called his performance "a tour de force" and said that he "brings a new level of complexity and depth to the character." Variety said that Farrell's performance is "one of the best villainous turns in recent memory."